Three ministers on Tuesday stepped down from the new Tunisian interim government. The ministers, representing Tunisia's main trade union, declared their withdrawal after the union refused to recognize an administration that includes eight ministers from Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's ousted regime.

"We are resigning from the government after a call from our union," stated Houssine Dimassi, training and employment minister in the unity government.

According to AFP, Dimassi said the two other ministers resigning were Abdeljelil Bedoui, a minister working in the prime minister's office, and Anouar Ben Gueddour, a junior transport minister.

The resignations come as prominent opposition figure Moncef Marzouki returned to Tunisia, following years of exile in France.

Marzouki said he plans to run in a planned presidential election.

Anger against the new government led thousands of protesters onto the streets of Tunis and several other cities on Tuesday.

Riot police fired tear gas to disperse a march in Tunis led by Islamist leader Sadok Chourou, who was imprisoned for 20 years under the toppled regime.